Is GTA 4 Still Worth Playing After GTA 5? Yes, Absolutely.
Even 5 years after the release of the blockbuster Grand Theft Auto V, 2008‘s GTA 4 stands the test of time as an open world action masterpiece brimming with unforgettable stories, innovative gameplay, and an impressively detailed world. For any gaming fan, it offers an experience that arguably surpasses its more modern sequel in some regards. Read on to see why GTA 4 deserves a spot in every gamer‘s library even after playing GTA 5.
GTA 4‘s Story and Characters Are Considered the Best in the Series
Unlike the multiple protagonist structure of GTA 5, GTA 4 delivers its narrative through the lens of Eastern European immigrant Niko Bellic as he becomes entangled with Liberty City‘s criminal underworld. This focused approach allows for deeper characterization and impactful drama.
- Niko Bellic – Gaming pundits concur that Bellic is the most complex and well-developed protagonist in GTA‘s history. His troubled past as a soldier haunts him, leading to internal turmoil and lending emotional weight to the story.
- Supporting Cast – Cousin Roman, Little Jacob, Kate McReary and others receive extensive character development. Their relationships with Niko evolve in meaningful ways.
- Mature Themes – From political commentary to moral ambiguity, GTA 4 tackled philosophical issues rarely explored by games at the time. The darker tone grounded its world.
According to IGN‘s 2020 reflection on GTA 4, "no Grand Theft Auto game before or since has matched GTA 4’s storytelling sophistication." These expert opinions cement why GTA 4‘s narrative remains a cut above the rest.
Gameplay Innovations That Laid the Foundation for the HD Universe
Built on Rockstar‘s proprietary RAGE engine, GTA 4 established many gameplay staples later polished in GTA 5:
- Driving – With improved suspension, damage modeling and tire friction modeling, GTA 4‘s vehicles handle with challenging realism.
- Combat – Gunplay feels impactful thanks to ragdoll physics and procedural animation tech. Melee fighting is visceral.
- Physics – Euphoria animation imbues characters and objects with realistic motion and momentum leading to many unpredictable and emergent moments.
These advancements modernized GTA gameplay into the HD era for future titles to build upon.
Liberty City: A Breathtaking and Meticulously Detailed Open World
GTA 4 takes place in Liberty City, Rockstar‘s incredibly faithful recreation of New York City comprising 4 of its famous boroughs:
- Broker (Brooklyn)
- Dukes (Queens)
- Bohan (The Bronx)
- Algonquin (Manhattan)
The living world has unrivaled authenticity:
- Localized voice acting in 9 languages heard from NPC citizens
- Visible injury and exhaustion on character models
- Changing weather and visible sun position based on time of day
This level of detail brings Liberty City to life unlike anything players had experienced before.
Myriad Side Activities Catering to Any Playstyle
In between story missions, there are plenty of things keeping Niko occupied across Liberty City‘s massive map:
- Minigames – From bowling to darts to pool, Liberty City is packed with recreation.
- Side Hustles – Niko can steal and export cars as well take on assassination contracts.
- Vehicles Galore – Cars, trucks, boats, helicopters – no shortage in variety of vehicles to acquire.
- Dynamic World – Citizens live out daily routines. Police respond to crimes they observe lending authenticity.
With so much to see and do, players can easily pour dozens more hours into side content alone.
So there you have it. Not only does GTA 4 remain a genre-defining open world action game that holds up brilliantly – its focused narrative, meaningful themes and living world offer an experience some critics believe is superior to its successor GTA 5. Every gamer deserves to spend time with Niko Bellic on the streets of Liberty City. Over 14 years later, GTA 4 absolutely worth playing even if you‘ve played GTA 5, no question about it.
